GILBERT, Ariz.- Highland baseball coach Erik Kehoe is a new addition to this year’s team, whose season was cut short due to COVID-19.

Reigning from Chicago, he has made his mark in Arizona through many coaching opportunities.

Kehoe was recruited as a pitcher for Arizona State University, but after one year he hurt his shoulder.

“Every childhood dream of a boy is to play professional baseball and I thought that was going to be my dream,” said Kehoe. “Injuries and a lack of talent prohibited me from doing that.”

During these transition years, Kehoe knew he wanted to coach and become a mentor. When he first started coaching he was just giving out private lessons to players. Then one day, a former coach called him up asking to be a pitching coach at Kehoe’s alma mater, Glenbard North High School in Chicago. 

“It only took me two seconds to reply, because coaching is something I have always wanted to do,” said Kehoe. 

Before coming to Highland, Kehoe was at Desert Mountain and Basha. From those two schools, he started building his legacy in the Arizona baseball community. He is known in the Arizona area to be a winning coach with the ability to change the culture of a program for the better. 

“I have a contact list of people who know baseball coaches in Arizona,” said Larsen. “Coach Kehoe was at the top of the list and I knew I had to connect with him.”

Larsen expressed that he has high hopes for Kehoe to bring back the good culture of Highland baseball. 

“Our baseball culture wasn't where it was,” said Larsen. “The kids are now buying in and you can see the culture change into a positive one with Kehoe as the new coach.”

With culture being a huge focus point, Kehoe has been upholding his end of the bargain. Since the new hire, Highland has also updated its baseball facilities.

“We now have probably the three nicest fields in the state with new fencing, windscreens, and padding,” said Larsen. 

Larsen described characteristics of Kehoe’s philosophy behind baseball. 

“Kehoe is very much, you’re for Highland or you are not,” said Larsen. “If you are not then, then there is no reason to be here but if you are he will bend over backward to make sure you have everything you need.”

Being there for his students and players is something Kehoe has always wanted to do, because of his mentors. He knew from his teachers he wanted to make a difference in people's lives because of the difference his teachers made for him. 

“There are many ups and downs and how you handle failure and/or success,” said Kehoe. “I use baseball on how to live and how you roll with the punches with adversity and mental toughness in the way.”

When choosing Highland, he knew that there was a lot of potential in the program. 

“If we go about it the right way there will be a lot of success,” said Kehoe. “It is a process.”

Kehoe’s philosophy runs along the lines of working hard every day, being a good teammate, and having fun while you compete. Kehoe expressed that the three main challenges are to better yourself to be a better person, holding accountability, and trusting your team. 

“Kehoe holds us so much more accountable,” said senior pitcher Drew Woody. “It’s the little things like picking up trash and making sure the field is clean.”

Before the season was cut short, there were already major differences in the program, according to Larsen. 

“Our biggest problem last year was many kids transferring to other schools or many players were not enjoying the program,” said Larsen. 

Now a year later, many of the players are proud to be a part of Highland baseball. 

“It is not something to hide about being a Highland baseball player; they are excited to be out there on the field,” said Larsen. 

Kehoe always knew that he wanted to be a mentor. From his playing experience, he knew baseball would always be with him. Highland is now a new part of Kehoe’s journey of growing his legacy in Arizona.